05 November, 2013
Dr. Ulrick Gaillard Community Complex
MONTE PLATA, D.R. (October 30, 2013) – During a ceremony to celebrate the Batey Relief Alliance’s 16th anniversary (October 23, 2013) at Batey Cinco Casas, the organization’s Dominican-based subsidiary, BRA Dominicana Executive Director, Maria Virtudes Berroa, accompanied by other staff members, unveiled the new facility built by the organization in the Municipal District of Don Juan, province of Monte Plata, and officially named it The Ulrick Gaillard’s Community Complex.
The facility is named in honor of the Batey Relief Alliance’s founder, Ulrick Gaillard in recognition of his longstanding work to lead the organization. For the past sixteen years, the Batey Relief Alliance joined memberships of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), United Nations DPI Section and the Global Health Council; raised more than $80 million; recruited hundreds of volunteers; and created strategic partnerships with local governments, grassroots groups and international agencies, including US Agency for International Development (USAID), US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to develop programs in health and HIV/AIDS, food security, women empowerment, water and sanitations, blindness prevention, education and disaster relief—improving the health and lives of more than 1.6 million people living in 268 vulnerable and impoverished communities in the United States, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Peru.
The complex—a project supported by the Dominican State Sugar Council (CEA) and funded by the Lions Clubs International Foundation, Clinton Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture, is one of a kind in the Monte Plata region and the first within a rural batey community. It is divided into two sections: a 62.5-acre of organic agricultural production of crops and animals, and a six-building compound that includes a modern medical center with areas to deliver primary, specialized, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, surgical, ophthalmology, dental and emergency care; perform laboratory tests; and conduct research, training and educational activities; a cafeteria, offices (administrative, program and cooperative), a warehouse, a public garden, and a kiosk to sell agricultural products. Upon fully built, the medical section alone, will have the capacity to service annually more than 60,000 patients throughout the Monte Plata region and beyond.
In making the announcement, Ms. Berroa was joined by local elected officials, members of the faith community and diplomatic corps, and more than 250 community residents. “Through the active engagement of the community and others, this complex will be able to change lives in the most significant way one can ever imagine. This remarkable project will give many, irrespective of their nationality, race, gender, creed, religion or political affiliation, a greater opportunity to live their best life’s dreams, and I am deeply honored by this dedication,” said Ulrick Gaillard.
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